Michael Halleran in DC Area Next Week

Michael Halleran, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature and the Brother, Brother series of stories in the Scottish Rite Journal will be speaking in the Washington DC area next week. May 24th he will be at Alexandria Washington Lodge No. 22 at 7:00PM (see for details).

Friday May 25th, he will be speaking at Naval Lodge No. 4 (click for details).

Road Trip to New Jersey, Delaware

It'll be a fun and busy week ahead on the East Coast. I'm off today for central New Jersey for the Scottish Rite Symposium with Brent Morris and Robert Davis, Saturday May 19 at the Valley of Central Jersey (103 Dunns Mill Road, Bordentown, New Jersey 08505) at 10:00 a.m. See here for details.


Monday evening I'll be speaking at Nutley Lodge No. 25 in Nutley, NJ.


And next Wednesday May 23rd, I'll be speaking a Table Lodge for Ionic Lodge No. 31in Newport, Delaware. Tickets will be $25 in advance.

From the Grand Lodge of Indiana

The 2012 meeting of the Grand Lodge F&AM of Indiana is now history. Congratulations to MW Gregory C. Wallbridge on an outstanding year as Grand Master, and to MW George A. Ingles on his election as our newest GM.

Three pieces of news for items close to my heart came at today's session. The brethren passed a resolution that now allows lodges to open and do business on the EA or FC degrees, at the Master's discretion. Not long ago ago this was a blasphemous idea and was studied for three years to make sure lodges didn't burst into flames with EAs sitting in them. It was one of our recommendations in Laudable Pursuit, long, long ago. Today, it became permanent by a very comfortable voting margin.

The second was an increase in the per capita for all members in the state from one to three dollars for the operation of Indiana Freemason's Hall in Indianapolis. This, too, passed by a comfortable margin, which tells me that the Masons of Indiana see the work the Temple Board has accomplished over the last few years and felt comfortable enough to express a substantial display of confidence in our abilities and stewardship of that fine building. It is the home of the Grand Lodge, and every Mason in the state has a stake in its ownership. I cannot adequately express my appreciation to the brethren for their trust and their generosity. All of us on the Temple Board thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

The third bit of news came in the form of a check for $12,000 from Grand Lodge to the Library and Museum Board, showing their ongoing support of the work of the last two years to create a library and museum that every Mason in the state can be proud of.

Many thanks to all of you.

Photo by Duane Vaught

Masonic Rules for Social Media?

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts has created guidelines for its members concerning postings on social media like Facebook and Twitter. While this is an attempt to interject common sense into the postings of Masons (which we know isn't common at all), I'm not certain I am crazy about codifying such rules. In any case, here they are for your perusal.

Social Media Code of Conduct for Massachusetts Freemasons

• A Mason should conduct his Social Media activities in a way that reflects his membership in the Craft.

• He should act in a way that presents a positive image of his membership in Freemasonry to the world.

• As a Mason, he must be aware that his postings are a permanent record; therefore, his conduct may

• influence the world with a positive or a negative opinion about him personally and also about any organizations to which he belongs.

• His actions on the various Social Media outlets should reflect the highest standards of morality and integrity he would practice within the Lodge.

• To ensure our fraternity represents itself to the high standards we believe in, we must regulate our actions through Brother-to-Brother intervention. As a Mason, you should advise a Brother if you feel that what he has posted is improper within the framework of our Grand Constitutions, rules, regulations, and edicts.

• Do not identify any Freemason as a member of the Craft unless he has provided his consent, or has already identified himself as such.

• Lodge notices, and information contained within Lodge notices beyond the time and place of meeting, should not be discussed.

• There should never be discussion related to the application, background or investigation of an applicant.

• There should never be discussion regarding the ballot of an applicant.

• There should never be discussion related to the business of a Lodge and what is discussed within our tyled doors.

• The posting of pictures or videos of Lodge events must comply with the Grand Constitutions, rules, regulations, and edicts.

• Information about Lodge or District social activities must comply with the regulations already in place for Lodge Notices (for example, no reference to alcohol or games of chance).

• The posting of social activities of a Lodge or District should comply with the regulation standards already in place for the distribution of Lodge Notices and inserts.

• No official communication with other Grand Lodges or their subordinate Lodges may take place online. Contact must be conducted through the Office of the Grand Secretary.

Thanks to Massachusetts Brethren

My deepest thanks to MW Richard Stewart, Grand Master of Massachusetts, and all of his officers and committee members for the phenomenal job they did at yesterday's events in Boston. I have been to lodges and grand lodges all over the country and the world and I can honestly say that the Grand Master's Table Lodge was one of the most impressive, memorable and fun events it has been my extreme privilege to attend. Everything was first class and every detail was perfect, right down to the 70 Masons who served as waitstaff for the 260 attendees. It was truly an incredible experience, and I am honored by so much that was said during the course of the day. It will go down as one of the greatest experiences of my Masonic life.

I learned much about their signature charity, the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, and was happy and honored to be a part of the events that raised money for this wonderful facility. Thanks to Brother Ron Kamp for his dedicated work in telling the story of the MMRL. It is truly a Masonic charity that is making a difference in the world and well worth our wholehearted support.

Back from France, I'm off to Boston

Alice and I are just back today from spending a week in Eze, a mountain village just outside of Monaco, in the south of France. An entire week of eating, drinking and being two great layabouts. My apologies if your emails haven't been answered, as I had no wi-fi connection, and probably wouldn't have signed on if I had. It's a trip I can heartily recommend, with two of our favorite restaurants on Earth.

If I ever agree to change planes at New York's JFK again, somebody please shoot me on the spot.

I'll be speaking on Saturday in Boston at three separate events, all at the grand lodge building. The day begins at the Massachusetts Lodge of Research, where I'll present my paper, "What's all of this Egyptian stuff doing in Freemasonry?" There is no charge for this event. In the afternoon, I'll conduct a group session on masonic research. The cost of the session is $25 and includes a parking voucher. And Saturday evening I'll be speaking at a Table Lodge hosted by MW Richard J. Stewart, Grand Master. Cost is $100, and includes parking, dinner and a firing glass. Proceeds go to the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory.

New Jersey Masonic Symposium May 19th

New Jersey Council of Deliberation, AASR cordially invites you to a 2012 Symposium to be held on Saturday May 19 at the Valley of Central Jersey (103 Dunns Mill Road, Bordentown, New Jersey 08505) at 10:00 a.m.

We have the pleasure of hosting three outstanding men and Masons who are very well known and respected for their Masonic knowledge and research.

From Indiana: Ill. Christopher Hodapp, 33º
From Oklahoma: Ill. Robert G. Davis, 33º
From Washington DC: Ill. S. Brent Morris, 33º

Tickets cost $50 per person and include breakfast, lunch, and souvenirs.

You can register online at http://www.njscottishrite.org/ or send your $50 check, payable to Children's Dyslexia Centers of NJ to:

Children's Dyslexia Center
P.O. Box 3
Cranford, NJ 07016

** This Event is Open to All Master Masons
** Proceeds to benefit the Children's Dyslexia Centers
** If you register online or by mail, your name will be put on the admission list. You will not receive an actual ticket

For more information please see the attached flyer of the event or click on the following link
http://www.njscottishrite.org/#/2012symposium/4561645067

You can also contact the Chairmen of the event:
S.P. Mohamad A. Yatim, 32º at mayatim@hotmail.com or at (484) 995-3337
or S.P. Moises I. Gomez, 32º MSA at gomez1rego@aol.com or at (201) 615-8755

NY PGM Bidnick Expelled

New York Past Grand Master Neal Bidnick has been expelled from the fraternity:

-----------------------------------

Subject: In the matter of Neal I. Bidnick - Official Notice of Decision of the Commissioners of the Masonic Trial convened on Tuesday, April 24, 2012 is attached herewith.

To:    All Grand Line Officers, Permanent Members, Elected & Appointed Grand Lodge Officers, Masters & Secretaries of NY Masonic Lodges, Concordant Bodies, and to all Grand Lodges in amity with the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York

GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

In the Matter of Charges preferred by:

RW BRO. KURT OTT

Past Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge (2006 – 2008)

Past Districtrict Deputy Grand Master of the Ninth Manhattan District,

And a dual member of Harmony Lodge No. 199 and Schiller Lodge No. 304,

Complainant,

--- Against

MW BRO. NEAL IVAN BIDNICK

Past Grand Master (2006 – 2008) and

A plural member of Sibelius – Bredablick Lodge No. 880,

Athelstane Lodge No. 839, Justice Lodge No. 753, Berne Lodge No. 684,

And Copernicus Lodge No. 545,

Accused.

NOTICE OF DECISION:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the decision, signed by the Commissioners appointed to hear, try and determine the Charges preferred by RW BROTHER KURT OTT, against MW BROTHER NEAL IVAN BIDNICK, was filed in the Office of the Grand Secretary, 71 West 23^rd Street, New York, New York 10010, on April 24, 2012. The Commission, comprised ofFIVE (5) PAST GRAND TREASURERS determined that by competent evidence that Past Grand Master BIDNICK did MISAPPROPRIATE FUNDS and as such, did ENGAGE IN ACTS OR CONDUCT TENDING TO IMPAIR THE PURITY OF THE MASONIC INSTITUTION OR ITS USEFULNESS, OR TO CAUSE SCANDAL OR TO DEGRADE IT IN PUBLIC ESTIMATION, OR WHICH ARE CONTRARY TO ITS PRINCIPLES, OBLIGATIONS OR TEACHINGS, and as such, Past Grand Master BIDNICK was found GUILTY of the CHARGE against him, and it was thereafter decided thatPast Grand Master NEAL IVAN BIDNICK shall be punished by being EXPELLED from the rights and privileges of Masonry.

Dated: New York, New York

APRIL 25, 2012

Submitted by:

STEVEN ADAM RUBIN, Proctor

To:    GRAND MASTER

          Sibelius – Bredablick Lodge No. 880

Athelstane Lodge No. 839

Justice Lodge No. 753

Berne Lodge No. 684

Copernicus Lodge No. 545

Please refer to the signed Official Notice of the Decision of the Commissioners of the Masonic Trial attached herewith as a pdf file.

Distributed by order of the Grand Master.

RW Brother Gilbert Savitzky, PGT

Office of the Grand Secretary

Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of the State of New York

Masonic Hall – 17^th Floor

71 West 23^rd Street

New York, NY 10010

nysgrandsecy@aol.com

Tel.: (212) 741-4500

BusinessWeek: France's Freemason Phobia

American Masons just don't have to deal with the kind of fears our European brethren seem to generate. In fact, we mostly don't see what the hubbub is all about. Joshua Levine in Business Week has an article today on why the French as a nation fears Freemasons.

From France: Where Freemasons Are Still Feared:

Magazines and newspapers all have stories they run in one form or another, year in, year out. The details may differ, but the stories are largely the same everywhere, striking universal chords of sex, health, and money. A few of these perennials, however, don’t travel. They drill deep into one country’s psyche while everyone else scratches their heads and says, “Huh?”

In France, the story that keeps coming back is about Freemasons. It’s everywhere. Most big French magazines run at least one big Freemason cover a year. Books dissect the “state within a state,” to borrow from a recent title. Blogs abound.

“France has several of these marronniers—chestnuts,” says Alain Bauer, former grand master of France’s Grand Orient lodge and president Nicolas Sarkozy’s Masonic liaison. “There’s real estate prices and there’s how to cure headaches, and then there’s Freemasons. The ultimate French magazine story is a Freemason with a headache who’s moving. We don’t like these stories, but at the same time, we love them, because they make us feel like we’re still important.”

Huh? Yes, Freemasons: the old fraternal order known in the U.S. for the Masonic lodges that dot American cities, musty reminders of an era when Masonry stirred the American melting pot. Or for the arcane Masonic symbols engraved on every dollar bill. Or on a sillier note, for the Shriners in their red fezzes. (The Shriners were founded in the 1870s to add a little levity to regular Freemasonry. Mission accomplished.)

California Masonic Symposium June 30-July 1

Online registration is now open for the 12th Annual California Masonic Symposium: The Emergence of Speculative Masonry.

This year’s discussion is guided by the research of Henry Wilson Coil Lecturer A. Trevor Stewart, Ph.D., who will investigate how the working tools and techniques of medieval stonemasons’ guilds became the symbolic platform for the ethical system we know as speculative Masonry.

Dr. Stewart will explain who some of the first speculative members were, why they were interested in the operative craft, and why operative stonemasons chose to admit them. He will also explain the changes nonoperative Masons brought to the craft and the influences of Rosicrucianism and alchemy.

Dr. Stewart’s research will be complemented by accompanying lectures from renowned Masonic scholars Shawn E. Eyer, editor of Philalethes: The Journal of Masonic Research and Letters, and Timothy W. Hogan, author of “The Alchemical Keys to Masonic Ritual” and “The Thirty-Two Secret Paths to Solomon: A New Examination of the Qabbalah in Freemasonry.”

The lecturers will be joined by a panel of Masonic scholars: María Eugenia Vásquez Semadeni, Ph.D.; John L. Cooper, III, Ph.D.; and Past Grand Master R. Stephen Doan.

The Symposium will be held June 30 in San Francisco and July 1 in Pasadena. Please click here for online registration. We hope you will join us for this fascinating journey into the fraternity’s past.

4th International Conference on the History of Freemasonry Announced

The fourth International Conference on the HIstory of Freemasonry has been announced for 2013, and will return to Edinburgh, Scotland.

From the website:

The first International Conference on the History of Freemasonry was held in 2007 to establish whether or not Freemasonry could be considered a single separate subject worthy of its own platform. It is now clear based on the successes of ICHF 2007, 2009 and 2011 that answer is a resounding, YES. Whilst the organisers welcome invitations from Masonic bodies throughout the world to host ICHF within their own locale, there is something comforting in bringing ICHF 2013 back to where it began; Freemasons’ Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland. 2013 is significant in several respects, not least because it marks the 200th anniversary of the 1813 union of the two English Grand Lodges, the Ancient and Moderns, under the auspices of the Duke of Sussex (1773 - 1843). Undoubtedly a number of researchers will submit proposals for papers on this very subject.

Issue 15 Masonic Society Journal To Press

After a long delay, Issue 15 of the Journal of the Masonic Society has gone to press and will be winging its way to mailboxes soon. Articles include:

Ecclesiastes: An Interpretation by Tavit Smith

The Beehive and Its Appearance on the Official Banner of the Gran Logia de Cuba, A.L. y A.M. by James W. Hogg, FMS

The Making of a Museum by James R. Dillman

Spatial Symbolism, Ceremonial Dance and Masonic Ritual by Kelly Ranasinghe

Mythic Fratricide and the Hiramic Legend: A Girardian Interpretation by Rev. Christopher D. Rodkey, Ph. D

Plus the usual news, photos and Masonic treasures you've come to expect.

Saturday Northeast Masonic Symposium in Albany, NY

I'll be speaking Saturday April 14th at the Northeast Masonic Symposium in Albany, NY. I'll share the program with fellow speakers Roger Firestone, Kevin Townley and Richard Friedman.

From the Symposium website:

The Northeast Masonic Symposium (NEMS) is devoted to providing a forum in the Northeast corner of the US a place for brothers to listen to lectures on topics of Freemasonry. To learn about Masonic history, expand their knowledge and to be inspired for their own works is the aim of the symposium for all who attend. NEMS first gathering is taking place in April of 2012 in Upsate NY.
This event brings lecturers from across the country and will bring together brothers from all over the region. The symposium is constructed with several tracks of lectures, allowing its attendees to select topics of interest to them. The current agenda offers a full day of food, lectures and social opportunities.

The cost for attendance is $50 per person (plus applicable payment processing fees) and includes continental breakfast, a commemorative gift, lunch, a cocktail reception, and a full day of lectures.

2011 Twain Awards Announced

Five years ago, the Masonic Information Center created the Mark Twain Masonic Awareness Award, to "recognize Lodge leadership for asserting a uniquely Masonic identity both within the Lodge and throughout the community that is consistent with the Fraternity's historic focus on education, self-improvement, good works, and fellowship." It's the only national Masonic award of its kind, and it represents achievement at the local lodge level. Lodges that win the Twain award are working hard to make their individual lodge just that—individual. These lodges have found ways to make their lodge unique, distinctive, educational, vital to their members, and a part of the community in which they reside.

The Masonic Information Center is a committee recognized by the Conference of Grand Masters in North America, and the Twain Award winners were announced at the Conference in Atlanta. The MIC was originally funded in 1993 by John J. Robinson, author of Born In Blood, who was not a Mason at the time. Robinson gave a grant to start the Center in order to provide information to both Masons and non-Masons, and to respond to critics of the fraternity. The Center operates as part of the Masonic Service Association of North America. For more about the Twain Award, see here.

Congratulations to the 2011 winners:

Alabama - Rising Sun Lodge #29 Decatur, Alabama

Alaska - Matanuska Lodge #7 Palmer, Alaska

Arkansas - Key Lodge #7 Siloam Springs, Arkansas

Arizona - Oasis Lodge #52 Tucson, Arizona

Illinois - St. Joseph Lodge #970 St. Joseph, Illinois

Michigan - Byron Lodge #80 Byron, Michigan

Minnesota - Red Wing Lodge #8 Red Wing, Minnesota

Nevada - St. John Lodge #18 Pioche, Nevada

New Hampshire - Benevolent Lodge #7 Milford, New Hampshire

New Mexico - Chapman Lodge #2 Las Vegas, New Mexico

Ohio - North Bend Lodge #346 Cleves, Ohio

Ohio - Oxford Lodge #67 Oxford, Ohio

Pennsylvania - Manoquesy Lodge #413 Bath, Pennsylvania

South Carolina - Mariner Lodge #2 Charleston, South Carolina

Utah - Damascus Lodge #10 Provo, Utah

Virginia - Herndon Lodge #264 Herndon, Virginia

Virginia - Fredericksburg Lodge #4 Fredericksburg, Virginia

Washington - Daylight Lodge #232 Seattle, Washington

The criteria for the Twain Award is designed to motivate lodges to plan its future and improve itself with meaningful activities that serve the needs of its own members. There's no checklist, no defined roadmap of specific items that get crossed off when completed. The goal is to motivate lodges to act for their own good, and the good of their community, and to do it in a thought out manner. The website has much information on it, but it does list suggested activities and ideas that every lodge ought to be considering, regardless of whether they are trying for an award or not.

Frustrated lodge officers are frequently hunting the silver bullet, the Big Fix that will fill their lodges and make them active and relevant to their members. The truth is, it's different for every lodge. This list is one place to start. If you've heard me speak at a lodge or grand lodge, you've heard me say over and over. Try everything, and when that doesn't work, try something else. But start by making your lodge a place YOU can't wait to come to every month, every week.

The MIC has a list of suggestions for lodges to use as a starting place to rejuvenate themselves, and while I don't want to reprint their whole website here, their suggestions are thoughtful ones:

- Apply concepts of education and self-improvements to current print and non-print communications tools of individual lodges, Grand Lodges, and national Masonic organizations and societies.

- Improve the environment of lodge-based fellowship; refresh the look of the lodge; welcome new members; improve presentation skills; provide mentoring to study degrees; strengthen communications skills.

- Organize group activities based on education and self-improvement that can enrich lodge-centered fellowship such as: welcoming committees, lodge renovation and clean up campaigns, leadership development conferences, mentor meetings, workshops on such things as Masonic ritual, history, symbolism, architectural works, art, and cultural works.

- Initiate workshops on Masonic personal growth topics such as leadership, stewardship, ethics, philosophy, and spirituality.

- Call on local educational faculty to present on topics that enrich the body, mind, and spirit of the brothers.

- Tap the talents of individual members and build a community of experts to help facilitate Masons to improve themselves and their community.

- Improve community accessibility to Masonry through public outreach activities and program or group hosting, tutoring, and mentoring.

- Offer Masonic recognition and incentive programs for educational initiatives, visitor programs and Chamber of Commerce presentations.

- Honor the Mason within yourself.

- Communicate regularly with neighboring lodges.

Stifani Reelected as GLNF GM

The embattled François Stifani was reelected as Grand Master of the Grande Loge Nationale Francaise on March 30th, receiving 45% of the vote. The strong internal protest movement against him was not enough to beat Stifani, although he has suspended or expelled many who sought to unseat him. With his own actions at the center of the worldwide Masonic reaction that have resulted in numerous grand lodges withdrawing or limiting recognition of the GLNF, it seems there will be no quick solution to the situation.

See the article in Le Figaro for news of the election.

Michael Halleran at Natl Heritage Museum April 28th

"Gentlemen of the White Apron," A Lecture by Michael A. Halleran
On Freemasonry in the Civil War
at the
National Heritage Museum
Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 1 pm


Michael A. Halleran, a freelance historian and practicing attorney, sets the standard for scholarship on Freemasonry in the Civil War. On Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 1pm, he will present the talk, “Gentlemen of the White Apron: Freemasonry in the American Civil War.” The lecture will reveal the history behind the many mythical stories of Masonic Brotherhood across the Civil War battle lines. A signing of his acclaimed book, The Better Angels of Our Nature, will follow. Admission is free. The lecture is part of a series on the Civil War, and is made possible by Ruby W. Linn.

Michael Halleran is a freelance writer and a practicing attorney in the Flint Hills of East-Central Kansas. A lecturer at Emporia State University, he is also an active Freemason. Halleran received the Mackey Award for Excellence in Masonic Scholarship by the Scottish Rite Research Society for his article on Civil War Freemasonry in that society’s journal: Heredom. He is a member of the Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle, and the Scottish Rite Research Society where he studies American military Masonry and the traditions of military lodges worldwide.

The Museum is offering the lecture series on occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. The series is designed to explore the history of this divisive conflict, and its meaning for our nation today. It also relates to Museum’s mission of fostering an appreciation of American history, patriotism and Freemasonry, and reflects both current research and exciting themes relevant to our world. All talks are sponsored by Ruby W. Linn.

Upcoming lectures in the series are:

“Among the Ruins: Charles F. Morse and Civil War Destruction”
Saturday, September 29, 2 pm
Megan Kate Nelson of Harvard University will unfold the Civil War experience of one Massachusetts soldier, Charles F. Morse, an officer in the 2nd Mass. Rgt. His letters, drawings, and other contemporary images will draw us into the world of ruin and destruction that participants in the war found themselves confronting.


“Quilts for Civil War Soldiers: Stories from the Home Front and the Battlefield”
Saturday, October 20, 2 pm
Pamela Weeks, Curator of the New England Quilt Museum, knows the stories behind thee rare surviving Civil War quilts made by caring hands for soldiers fighting for North and South. Learn about the quilts, their makers, life on the home front during the war, and about how civilians organized to get desperately needed aid and supplies to the battlefield.

The National Heritage Museum is dedicated to presenting exhibitions on a wide variety of topics in American history and popular culture. The Museum is supported by the Scottish Rite Freemasons in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States. The Museum is located at 33 Marrett Road in Lexington at the corner of Route 2A and Massachusetts Avenue. The Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Admission to the Museum is free. For further information contact the Museum at (781) 861-6559. www.nationalheritagemuseum.org

Speaking in New Haven, CT This Saturday

I will be speaking at the Masonic Lodge of Research of Connecticut No. 401 in New Haven this coming Saturday, March 31st.

From the lodge website:

Worshipful Brother Chris Hodapp will be the recipient of the Masonic Lodge of Research James Royal Case Fellowship on March 31 in public ceremonies at the New Haven Masonic Temple, 285 Whitney Avenue. The evening will begin with dinner at 6:30 p.m., followed by the 7:30 p.m. conferral of the award and a presentation by Bro. Hodapp.

The Case Fellowship was first presented by MLR in 1971, and the recipient was Bro. Case himself. In his 6+ decades as a Mason, Jim Case served as Grand Historiographer of most of the grand Masonic bodies of Connecticut. He was a Past Master of American Lodge of Research in New York City and the author of numerous books and articles on Masonic history. Respected for his work worldwide, Bro. Case began the bicentennial history of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut before being called by the Grand Architect of the Universe in 1987.

Chris Hodapp is the twentieth recipient of the Case Fellowship and the second from Indiana. The first was MWPGM Dwight Smith, also the long-serving Grand Secretary of that Grand Lodge. Chris was the almost accidental choice to write Freemasons For Dummies, which became one of the biggest sellers in that franchise's catalog. Since that time, he has written several other Masonic-related works, some in collaboration with his wife, Alice Von Kannon. Chris also writes a popular Masonic blog.

Those desiring to attend the March 31 dinner must make prepaid reservations through WM Martin Ede not later than March 24. The cost of the dinner, to which ladies and guests are most welcome is $20 per person, and checks payable to MLR may be sent to Bro. Ede at 9 Simpson Court, Bethany, CT 06524. Questions may be directed to Martin at mede@snet.net.

When Bro. Hodapp came to Connecticut in 2008, space was at a premium to hear his address and chat with him before and after the meeting as he sold his papers. Another large crowd is anticipated for his upcoming visit.

The French Meltdown: Florida Suspends Relations with GLNF

The Grand Lodge of Florida has joined the growing ranks of North American grand lodges that have suspended fraternal relations with the Grande Loge Nationale Française. See this link for the text.

To All Particular Lodges

Dear Brethren,

In consequence of recent events and the ongoing disharmony within the Grande Loge Nationale Française, M:.W:. Jim J. harris, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida, hereby SUSPENDS FRATERNAL RELATIONS between the Grand Lodge of Florida and the Grande Loge Nationale Française effective February 24, 2012.

This suspension of fraternal relations is based upon recommendation of M:.W:. J. Dick Martinez, Chairman of the Grand Lodge of Florida Fraternal Relations Committee, and concurs with the recommendations of the Committee on Information and Recognition of the 2012 Conference of Grand Masters of North America.

Therefore, no lodge in Florida may visit nor allow visitors or petitioners for affiliation or dual membership from any Lodge Chartered by The Grande Loge Nationale Française.

Sincerely and fraternally,Richard E. Lynn, PGM
Grand Secretary

Levant Preceptory in Detroit Last Weekend

Many thanks to the members and guests of Detroit Commandery No. 1 last Saturday for their kind hospitality as Levant Preceptory traveled to Michigan to portray the Order of the Temple in period costume. Sir Knights came from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Canada and Trinity Commandery No. 80 in Downer's Grove, Illinois for the day, and it was a great way to spend a Saturday. Lunch and dinner were outstanding, and the Detroit Masonic Temple is the perfect place to perform this degree.

Photos thanks to Phil Whisner.



(Left to right) Chris Hodapp, Jim Dillman, Jim Iles


Front Row
Chris Hodapp, Jim Dillman, Terry Turner, Tom Tuttle, Grand Master of the Grand Encampment William H. Koon II, Grand Commander of Indiana Paul Cole, Jack Wallace, and Hermits Rob Kumpfer and Mark Haworth


Back Row
Jim Iles, Phil Whisner, Mitchell Rohrbaugh, Aaron Taylor, Carson Smith, Dale Adams, John Bridegroom, and Hermit Gary Messer

Thanks especially to Grand Commander Cole and Grand Master Koon for coming out and seeing us. Levant Preceptory is Indiana's period recreation Knight Templar team, which operates under the charter of Raper Commandery No. 1 in Indianapolis. Sir Knights participate from all across Indiana.

Charles Rangel Celebrates 200 years of Prince Hall Freemasonry in New York

New York Representative Charles Rangel celebrated the 200th anniversary of Boyer Lodge No. 1 and Prince Hall Freemasonry in New York on the floor of the House of Representatives last week.

From his remarks on March 22nd, 2012:

History notes that Boyer Lodge No. 1 was named after Jean Pierre Boyer, a native of Saint-Domingue, who was born around February 15, 1776. He was a courageous soldier and leader of the Haitian Revolution, who served as a General under Toussaint L' Ouverture in the Haitian War of Independence against the French Government. Jean Pierre Boyer served as the fourth President of Haiti from 1818 to 1843, and managed to rule for the longest period of time of any of the revolutionary leaders of his generation. He reunited the north and south of Haiti in 1820 and also invaded and took control of Santo Domingo, which brought all of Hispaniola under one government by 1822. Under President Boyer's leadership, Haiti declared independence from France in 1825, becoming the only free Black nation, then in existence.As stated by Worshipful Master Carlo Smith-Ramsay,

The daring price that our ancestors paid to boldly and audaciously decide to become Freemasons at a time in history when men of color were not entirely free men and the laws of the land provided them very little protection is the reason why we should humbly and reverently celebrate our Bi-centennial Anniversary of Boyer Lodge No. 1.''

Read his complete remarks here.

H/T to Stephen Hill

Controversial Kentucky Man Arrested for Lodge Theft

Readers from last year may recall the story of WBro. John D. Wright of Kentucky, who announced to his lodge that he was openly gay and attempted to get anti-discrimmination legislation passed at Grand Lodge in 2010. Wright went on to blog about his situation and kept the gay issue at the forefront of his posts. At one point charges were filed against him by members of his lodge, who privately told me that homosexuality was not the only reason for the charges, without elaborating at that time. He was subsequently suspended.

Well, it seems that Wright was just arrested for stealing $10,000 from his lodge between 2009 and 2011.

From the Richmond Register:

John D. Wright, 27, of Radcliff, was arrested Saturday morning by the Kentucky State Police, according to the Hardin County Detention Center’s website. An arrest warrant for Wright had been issued after a Madison grand jury indicted him last month on a felony charge of theft by failure to make required disposition of property.

Wright is being held without bond and will be transported to Madison County Detention Center. Court records show the case has been assigned to Madison Circuit Court Judge Jean C. Logue.

The charge against Wright was a direct submission to the grand jury, meaning the case had not proceeded through Madison District Court first. Most criminal cases begin with arrest and proceed in district court. Felony cases typically are referred by the judge to the grand jury. If a person is indicted on one felony charge or more by the grand jury, the case will continue in circuit court.

Commonwealth’s Attorney David Smith said the KSP and Richmond Masonic Lodge 25 had requested the case be directly submitted to the grand jury. KSP Detective Monte Owens testified at the closed hearing about the “lengthy investigation” conducted by the agency into Wright’s handling of the lodge’s funds from July 2009 to April 2011, according to KSP Post 7 Public Affairs Officer Paul Blanton. Blanton said an investigative audit was conducted of the lodge’s records.

Other than the indictment, Wright’s case file did not contain any additional information about the alleged crime. The indictment states he “obtained company funds ... and then dealt with the funds as his own and thereby obtained property from the company of the value of more than $10,000.”

In 2010, Wright told a Winchester Masonic lodge, at which he was the Master, that he was gay, according to a Lexington Herald-Leader story. He had been with the organization since 2007.

Wright told the newspaper that lodge members asked for his resignation, which he refused to give. Later that year, a proposed change to the Masonic state constitution to bar openly homosexual members was voted down at the group’s state gathering.

However, organizational charges were brought against Wright for going public with private Masonic information and forsaking God by declaring his homosexuality. A Masonic trial found Wright guilty of “un-Masonic conduct” on April 8, and he was indefinitely suspended, according to the Lexington newspaper.

Junior Grand Deacon of Ohio Passes Away

The Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, Right Worshipful Brother Michael T. Puskarich, passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 17th.

From the Grand Secretary of Ohio on the GL website:

It is with sadness and a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of our Junior Grand Deacon, and the President of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Masonic Home, Right Worshipful Brother Michael T. Puskarich.

As a result of complications from a pulmonary embolism, Right Worshipful Brother Puskarich passed during the early hours of Saturday morning, March 17 while a patient at Good Samaritan Hospital in Zanesville. Michael is survived by his wife, Judy, and two children.

Expressions of sympathy can be sent to:

Mrs. Judy Puskarich
35500 Cadiz Piedmont
Cadiz, OH 43907-9638

Calling hours and funeral services will both be conducted at Scotts United Memorial Methodist Church, 817 East Market Street, Cadiz, OH 43907.

Calling hours are 1:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Thursday, March 22nd . Masonic Funeral Services will be conducted by the Grand Master Thursday evening at 6:30 P.M. Masons who plan on attending the Masonic Services should bring their own aprons.

Funeral Services will be conducted Friday morning, March 23rd at 10:30 A.M.

His love for life; his love for family; his love for the fraternity; his big, warm smile; his soft spoken voice…gone, but not forgotten.

“To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.” - Thomas Campbell

Fraternally,
C. Michael Watson, PGM
Grand Secretary

NASCAR's Clint Bowyer

NASCAR fans take note: the Grand Lodge of Kansas reports that driver Clint Bowyer has petitioned Emporia Lodge No. 12 for membership. The Grand Lodge joined Bowyer at an event today to dedicate the Bowyer Community Building in Emporia, made possible by his $1 million donation to the community.

From the Grand Lodge of Kansas website:

A native of Emporia, Kansas, Bowyer drives the #15 5 Hour Energy Toyota Camry in the Sprint Cup Series for Michael Waltrip Racing. Early in his career, he drove for Richard Childress Racing. He won the 2008 Nationwide Series championship.

The building, which was completed in early March was made possible by a donation of $1 million by Bowyer in July 2010 and will be available for many uses including children's and community events.

Grand Master Tracy L. Bloom presided over the ceremony, and was joined by Past Grand Masters Jimmi L. Grassi and Roy T. Sullivan, Deputy Grand Master Don Newman, and a host of Masons from across the state. On hand to watch the ceremony was a crowd of 250 spectators, community leaders and the media.

Additionally, Mark Snider, the Master of Emporia Lodge announced that Bowyer has petitioned for membership in Emporia Lodge No. 12.

H/T to Michael Halleran, who says if Bowyer is successfully voted in, he'll be "going through the old fashioned way."

Levant Preceptory Travels To Detroit 3/24

Levant Preceptory, Indiana's medieval period recreation Templar unit, will be conferring the Order of the Temple in the Detroit Commandery #1 Asylum in the historic Detroit Masonic Temple on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. They will be serving lunch at 12:00 P.M. and a dinner banquet will be held at approximately 5:00 P.M. following the conferral. Anyone interested in attending should contact Detroit Commandery #1 Eminent Commander S.K. Abe Albert at asa2253@aol.com or by telephone at 313-590-0503. Meal reservations need to be made no later than Wednesday, March 14, 2012. Time is very short, so please contact SK Albert right away if you are interested in attending.


Anyone who would like to go up the night before or stay Saturday evening may use the discounted room rate at the Holiday Inn in Livonia, MI, which is approximately a thirty-minute drive from the Detroit Masonic Temple. If you make a reservation at the hotel, use the group code LEV or tell them that you are with the Levant Preceptory group. Rooms have been discounted from $119.00 to $89.00.

Levant Preceptory confers the Order of the Temple in period costume, chainmaille, steel helmets and broadswords, and is made up of Sir Knights from all across Indiana. It is a club of Indianapolis' Raper Commandery No. 1, and operates under Raper's charter.

Indiana Disaster Relief From Tornados

The Grand lodge of Indiana has issued the following message about disaster relief from the recent tornados in Indiana:

Brethren,
Most of you have learned of the recent rash of tornados to hit southern Indiana. The Grand Lodge office has had several inquiries regarding ways to help with the recovery efforts. We have been in contact with two different Worshipful Masters regarding damages. The Worshipful Master of Grandview #161, WB Ira David Bevins reported that the front awning roof of their building was heavily damaged, and the building is unsafe to enter at this time. WM Bevins was not aware of any injuries, and no other serious damage in Grandview, Indiana. Their insurance company has been contacted and will help them deal with the damage.

The Worshipful Master of Henryville Lodge #651, WB Jerry Wayne Zollman, Jr. has informed us of their current situation. The lodge building escaped with minor damage, a few broken windows and some minor roof damage, which is also covered by insurance. The Masonry structure still has electricity, heat and water. WM Zollman has informed us that some members had some home damage, and one brother had serious injuries. WM Zollman has been in contact with the Red Cross and the local township authorities in his area, and has offered the use of the lodge hall as a possible shelter or distribution center. He was told that there are facilities close by to act as shelters for displaced residents as well as adequate food necessities flowing in. The lodge hall may likely become a distribution center in the coming days. WM Zollman will let us know if and what we all can do to help with their tragic situation in a couple of days as disaster relief plans are implemented. He cautions that physical help and supplies should not simply come to the community, since professional disaster relief people are on the scene and will likely turn such aide away. This office will send out further updates as information comes available. You can contact Worshipful Master Zollman at jzollman@insight.com or by telephone at (812) 569-7814 if you wish to discuss assistance with him. Money donations will likely be the best help at this time. Monetary donations can be made through the Grand Lodge Web Site under the Contributions heading followed by Disaster Relief. Monetary contributions have also been set up as listed below.

AUSTIN:
Disaster Relief Donation Center
Jennings Twp. VFD Parking Lot
Trailer will be parked between Austin City Hall
& Jennings Twp. Vol. Fire Department
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
10am - Noon & 2pm - 7pm
Need Donations: good used furniture, good
clean clothes,toiletries & household items
Please No Food Items @ This Location
For More Info Call: 812.794.6646

SCOTTSBURG
Disaster Relief Donation Center
Mid America Science Park
Lake Road Behind Pizza Hut
Needed Donations: non-perishable food items and snacks,
water, personal hygiene items, pillows, blankets, towels and
wash cloths, pet food, and disposable diapers.
Also needed are work gloves, generators, chain saws, rakes,
shovels, flash lights, large heavy duty trash bags, tarps,
and Large Storage totes.
Check Donations can be made to: Disaster Relief Fund
Clothing is not being accepted at this time
For More Info Call: 812.820.3472

Richard J. Elman, PGM
Grand Secretary
317-634-7904
grsec@ingrandlodge.org

New Author for Lost Symbol Movie Adaptation

Deadline New York is reporting that Dan Brown has passed the reins of writing the screen adaptation of The Lost Symbol to a new author:

Danny Strong, who wrote the Jay Roach-directed HBO films Recount and the upcoming Sarah Palin pic Game Change, is stepping up to features. Sony Pictures has set him to write The Lost Symbol, Sony’s third installment of the Dan Brown-penned thrillers focusing on symbologist Robert Langdon. The expectation is that the film will be directed by Mark Romanek after Ron Howard opted out of directing the third film, with Howard producing with Imagine partner Brian Grazer after he helmed the blockbusters The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons. Grazer produced the first two films in the series with the late John Calley.

Strong comes in after Brown had a hand in writing a script as did Steven Knight. The project is a priority for the studio. The Da Vinci Code grossed $758 million worldwide in 2006 and while Angels & Demons dropped off to a $486 million worldwide gross in 2009, that is still a big box office haul. Tom Hanks, who played Langdon in the first two thrillers, is expected to reprise, but no commitment has been made to this point.

Speaking in New Hampshire Saturday 3/3

On Saturday, March 3rd, 2012, I'll be speaking at the Nashua Masonic Temple for Ancient York Rite Lodge. From their website:

Worshipful Brother Chris Hodapp is making his first visit to New Hampshire. Ancient York Lodge will be hosting a semi-public Fellowship dinner and presentation on Saturday, March 3, 2012. Dinner will start at 6:00pm; Bro. Hodapp’s presentation will begin at ap- proximately 7:30pm. Tickets for the event will be $20 per person. All Masons and those interested in learning about Freemasonry are welcome to attend!

Tickets will be available for purchase from Bros. Michael Henry or Chris Busby. Alternatively, they are available to purchase via PayPal.

Bro. Hodapp is the author of a number of books on Masonry including "Freemasons for Dummies". He is currently the Editor-In-Chief of "The Journal of the Masonic Society" and a Founding Fellow of the Society. He is a Past Master of Lodge Vitruvian No. 767 in Indianapolis. He received his 33° in Chicago in August 2011.

Visit the website for tickets.

Andrew Hammer in Connecticut June 4th

Wyllys – St. John's Lodge No. 4 A.F. & A.M. will present an Evening With Andrew Hammer, Author of the book, "Observing the Craft"

June 4th, 2012, 7:30pm (Dinner served at 6:00pm)

Wyllys-St. John's Lodge No. 4
11 South Main St.
West Hartford, CT, 06107

Reservations Required
Lecture only: Free
Dinner with W.B. Andrew Hammer (Prime Rib au Jus): $30
Autographed Book: $20

For reservations, please mail check with appropriate amount, names of persons attending and your selections to:

Jonathan Stein, J.W.
12 Miamis Rd.
West Hartford, CT, 06117

Please contact J.W., Jonathan Stein at: (860) 751-4482 or jstein@wsj4.org with questions.

GLNF Deemed Irregular by North American Grand Masters

The Conference of Grand Masters of North America is going on this week in Atlanta, and there are major issues in the Masonic world that the GMs will be discussing: the situation with the Shrine in Michigan and Alabama, the Grande Loge Nationale Française with its embattled GM François Stifani, and the Grand Encampment's Rectified Rite, just for starters.

The first news to leak out is from the Commission on Information for Recognition, chaired by William Holsinger, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California. According to the LML in English website, the Commission found that the Grande Loge Nationale Française has engaged in irregular behavior worthy of losing its recognition. It is VERY important to understand that this does NOT mean, as the LML website states, that the North American Grand Lodges have yanked recognition of the GLNF. The Commission cannot do that, and neither can the Conference. Only individual GLs can pull their recognition (as the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia did, to a certain extent, last week, joining 32 other worldwide GLs that have derecognized or severely limited their relations with the French GL). The Commission only reports on the regularity of other GLs and issues an opinion that North American GLs are free to follow or ignore. Nevertheless, if the rumor is true, this is very bad news for Stifani and the GLNF.

A new obedience is forming from the hundreds of lodges Stifani has either suspended or who have refused to pay their Grand Lodge assessments. The Union des Loges Régulières Françaises (ULRF) is forming the Grande Loge Unie de France (United Grand Lodge of France) that will either strike out on its own, or will merge back with the GLNF once Stifani is gone and the troubles are settled (if that is possible).

For the long version of what has been transpiring in France, read the ULRF's version here.

In the meantime, no word has leaked out yet in reference to the Shrine and the RER. More as it becomes available. The final Report on Recognition will be read later this week.

International Pipe Smoker's day

Roger VanGorden and I freezing ourselves on the patio in Alexandria, VA

in 2011, for the sake of reveling in the Brotherhood of the Briar.

"A pipe is the fountain of contemplation, the source of pleasure, the companion of the wise; and the man who smokes, thinks like a philosopher and acts like a Samaritan."

-Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

Today is International Pipe Smoker's Day. Raise your pipe in celebration!

According to the IPSD Website,

WE ENVISION A WORLDWIDE COMMUNION
of pipe-smokers that is bound together by a shared love for pipe-smoking, mutual respect, and goodwill • We envision a society that respects the informed choice and adult use of smoking tobacco • We envision a world where governments act in good faith and integrity, and have the political will and personal courage to express their values appropriately through legislative means • This means that as a group we are united and strong in our beliefs, have understanding, patience, wisdom, enjoy the philosophical aspect of pipe-smoking, and seek to promote pipe-smoking as part of a lifestyle that can be thoroughly enjoyable to adults through the responsible use of tobacco.

MISSION
To foster links across the globe in honor of friendship, benevolence, and tranquility; and to celebrate the fraternity of pipe-smokers across all borders.

PURPOSE
On this day we will take a breather and celebrate the noble art of pipe-smoking and the noble spirit which pervades the brother/sisterhood of the briar. We will put into practice the time-honored and ancestral traditions of raising our pipes in toast to each other in the evening in unison and, thus, share a bowl together.

PHILOSOPHY
Today’s hectic environment almost dictates that we run on full efficiency, have total involvement in our work, our families and in every aspect of what we do to survive and achieve in a world set at high speed.• With ever-changing values it is the intent that The International Pipe-Smoking Day will allow us, the Brothers and Sisters of the Briar to step back and appreciate our rich historical value. • For pipe-smokers and pipe-smoking everywhere the day will be emblematic of our shared values, history, traditions, and aspirations.

For those of you who have long admired the art of the pipe, but didn't know where to start when it comes to partaking of the joys of the leaf and briar, The Art of Manliness website features a Pipe Smoking Primer, written by Jason Mills.

The 1979 Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health (Table 7, Section 13, page 17, or page 637 in pdf form) shows that, in one study (H. A. Kahn), pipe smokers of 1-4 bowls a day actually have a lower mortality rate than non-smokers. Table 8 of a second study (E.C. Hammond), shows pipe smokers who smoke more than 9 bowls a day, again, had a lower mortality rate than non-smokers.

That's because a pipe keeps us calm and free from hysterics. In fact, messing with a pipe allows the experienced puffer to avoid answering a direct question for as long as 45 minutes.

"The pipe draws wisdom from the lips of the philosopher, and shuts up the mouth of the foolish; it generates a style of conversation, contemplative, thoughtful, benevolent, and unaffected..."

-William Makepeace Thackeray, from The Social Pipe

My favorite pipe in my collection is a Stanwell calabash shape, and my tobacco is a custom blend by Dunhill from a dwindling stock that is getting low enough for me to worry. I haven't smoked much in the last year, so that's helping to save the stockpile. Until the early 2000's, I could still get my custom mixture from Dunhill in Chicago, then New York. That stopped when they went out of the pipe tobacco business. Dunhill has began to reissue its tinned tobacco in the U.S. in 2010 but I don't hold out hope for the custom mixtures ever again. *sigh*

Israeli Library Uploads Newton's Theological Texts

Israel's national library, which contains a vast trove of Issac Newton's esoteric writings, has digitised his occult collection and posted it online.

From Physorg.com:

Among the yellowed texts are Newton's famous prediction of the apocalypse in 2060.

Newton revolutionized physics, mathematics and astronomy in the 17th and 18th century, laying the foundations for most of classical mechanics - with the principal of universal gravitation and the three laws of motion bearing his name.

However, the curator of Israel's national library's humanities collection said Newton was also a devout Christian who dealt far more in theology than he did in physics and believed that scripture provided a "code" to the natural world.

"Today, we tend to make a distinction between science and faith, but to Newton it was all part of the same world," said Milka Levy-Rubin. "He believed that careful study of holy texts was a type of science, that if analyzed correctly could predict what was to come."

So he learned how to read Hebrew, scrolled through the Bible and delved into the study of Jewish philosophy, the mysticism of Kabbalah and the Talmud - a compendium of Jewish oral law and stories about 1,500 years old.

For instance, Newton based his calculation on the end of days on information gleaned from the Book of Daniel, which projected the apocalypse 1,260 years later. Newton figured that this count began from the crowning of Charlemagne as Roman emperor in the year 800.

The papers cover topics such as interpretations of the Bible, theology, the history of ancient cultures, the Tabernacle and the Jewish Temple.

The collection also contains maps that Newton sketched to assist him in his calculations and his attempts to reveal the secret knowledge he believed was encrypted within.

The texts may be accessed here.

Masonic Society Names fellows and officers

The Masonic Society held its annual Board meeting at Masonic Week in Alexandria, Virginia on February 10th, and is proud to announce the following brethren as the Fellows for 2012:

Ron Blaisdell
Cliff Porter
James R. Dillman
Mark G. Robbins
Paul Newhall

Fellows are named by the Board in recognition of their contribution to the body of knowledge of the fraternity, through their writing, their Internet work, their service to the Society, or other labors for Freemasonry. Congratulations to these hard working brethren!

The following officers were elected for 2012:

President - John R. “Bo” Cline
1st Vice President – James R. Dillman
2nd Vice President – John Palmer

Many thanks to Michael Poll for serving as President for 2010 and 2011. Mike did an outstanding job as the Society's second president, and we are deeply appreciative for his hard work and dedication.

Back From Masonic Week

Me, Nathan Brindle and Jim Dillman at the Masonic Society booth in Alexandria for Masonic Week. Photo by Roger VanGorden.

Alice, Wiley and I are home at last from Masonic Week in Alexandria. We took our leisurely time about things, so we didn't get home until Wednesday evening. As usual, the events were outstanding, with a couple of personal standouts for me (some of which I can't discuss yet, and two of which were among the most moving experiences I have had as a Mason).

On Friday, February 10th I had the very distinct honor of being named as the 101st member of the Society of Blue Friars, by Grand Abbot S. Brent Morris. The Blue Friars were formed in 1932 to recognize Masonic authors, and today there are only 26 living members. I am humbled to be in the company of so many brethren whose work I have long admired, and am deeply appreciative of this honor. Each year I look forward to the Blue Friars gathering and the paper delivered by each new member, and it was a great experience to be the one delivering it this year.

Monday evening I had the opportunity to head for Baltimore to speak to the Maryland College of the SRICF. Many thanks to the fratres for their kind invitation and their generous hospitality.

The Masonic Society had another outstanding week, with many old and new members stopping by our table in the vendors' area. The hospitality suite, although smaller this year thanks to the hotel's remodeling, was packed to the rafters Thursday and Friday evenings. Many thanks to everyone who stopped in for a wee dram and great conversation, and especially to Jim Dillman for acting as our bartender and lifeguard once again.

Our banquet was outstanding, and speaker Brett McKay, co-author of The Art of Manliness, gave a terrific talk on the origin of his book and website, and what it means to be a man in today's society. Thanks, Brett, for making it a great evening, and to everyone who came out. Billy Koon stopped by to point out that we again outdrew his Knights Occidental gathering at the same time.

Looking forward to next year, the Allied Masonic Week will move hotels to the Hayatt in Reston, Virginia, February 6th through the 9th, so there are many unknown details that will be worked out as the year progresses.